Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3987, Joshua Gibbs, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Gibbs, Joshua Hannah
R 3987
CONTENTS

13.638
Massachusetts
Tashua Gibbs
Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Wing of the Reg t commanded by Col. Brewer in the Mass line for 8 Mos 16 days
M rs
81 Plymouth
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 27 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of July 1833, and sent to J Roudy Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833. $ 54.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 13.67 $ 68.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. G. B. Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 29

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss
On this thirty first day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before Wilkes Wood, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Plymouth Hannah Gibbs a resident of Wareham in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th , 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows; That she is the widow of Joshua Gibbs late of said Wareham deceased, who served in the Militia in the Revolutionary war as particularly stated in his declaration made to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, which is supposed to be among the files at Washington to which I refer as I am not able to state the particulars of his service. The said Joshua Gibbs was pensioned under said act, and received from the United States a pension of Twenty Seven Dollars and Thirty Three Cents per annum, and his certificate was numbered 15.638
She further declares that she was married to the said Joshua Gibbs on the eighteenth day of December in the year seventeen hundred eighty three; that her Husband, the aforesaid Joshua Gibbs died on the sixth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and thirty nine - and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of

January, seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated
Hannah X Gibbs marks
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year first above mentioned before me; And I certify that the said Declarant by reason of age and bodily infirmity is unable to trace and attend court to make her declaration: and I further certify that she is a credible person.
Willis Wood J. Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Willis Wood is Judge of Probate for said County and that the above is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this fourteenth day of August 1843
Jacob H. Lord

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth & Sc.
On this thirteenth day of November 1832 personally appeared before Wilkes Wood Esq. Judge of the court of Probate for said County. Joshua Gibbs a Resident of Wareham in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged Eighty years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the fol- lowing declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
In the year 1776 he was desirous of serving his country and went from Wareham to Roxbury where a considerable body of troops had assembled and offered his services to the captain of a company of Militia troops belonging to a Regiment com- manded by Col. Brewer, which were accepted and he was voted in as a Sergeant of said company to take the place of a man who was desirous of leaving it, and continued there doing duty as a Sergeant of said company two months when he was discharged. The names of the other field officers and Subalterns of said company have escaped his recollection.
In the same year 1776 he was enlisted at Wareham aforesaid to perform a tour of service at Roxbury and Boston and proceeded from said Wareham as a Sergeant of a detachment of men commanded by Lieut. Barnabas Bates and joined a company of troops at Roxbury commanded by Capt. Ste- phen Tilling, belonging to a Regiment under the command of

Col. Simeon Carey of Bridgewater - Barnabas Bates and Judah Trask were Subaltern officers of said company. He was detached however from said company to perform duty in the Quarters Master's Department - but, owing to the sickness of the Quarters Master - the business of his Department wholly devolved upon him, which he performed during the period of three months the term for which he originally enlisted. - Gen. Heath at the time he now speaks of had the command of the troops then stationed in and around Boston, which he distinctly remembers, as his duty of Acting Quarters Master required him to wait upon him for orders. -
In the year 1777 - he went from Uptonham to Rhode Island where he did duty as a sergeant in a company belonging to a Regiment commanded by Col. Ebenezer Sproat of Middleborough in the Brigade of Gen. - Spencer - two months - but, he does not remember the names of any of the company officers. - He will recollect however that William Robinson was one of the sergeants of said company and that Ebenezer Moore - and John Hammond of Rochester - were privates in said company - The original term for which said detachment was enlisted to perform duty was six weeks, but, when this term was about to expire and no proper arrangements had been made for recruits to supply their place at the solicitation of His Excellency John Hancock Esq who happened then on this occasion, and who addressed the troops on parade in a bold and patriotic speech they were induced to remain two weeks longer. -
He was in four different alarms - The first at Marshfield - which continued about four days in company with Israel Hasing of said Uptonham late a Brigadier General of Militia deceased - the second at New Bedford when he belonged to Col. Sproat's Regiment, which continued about six days - The third at

Howland, I believe in a company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Hammond but is not positive, which con- tinued about one week - The fourth and last at Falmouth in a company commanded by Joseph John Gibbs which con- tinued five days.
In the year 1777 being then at Nantucket he joined a party from Falmouth under the command of Joseph Den- nick on a Privateering cruise in which they succeeded in capturing three vessels of the enemy, together with a con- siderable number of prisoners - and was engaged in it about three weeks.
In the year 1777 he joined a Privateer then fitting out at New Bedford Bedford under the command of Capt. Joseph Phillips and performed one cruise as a seaman on board which continued five weeks - during which time they suc- ceeded in capturing two prizes. The one of which was a ship of about 700 tons burthen - and fully laden with a valuable cargo, and the other a vessel belonging to Boylston of Boston which they considered as a legal prize, but which was after- wards adjudged not to be -
Of all these facts and circumstances he has no documentary testimony neither does he know of any persons now alive who can give evidence respecting them other than what accom- panies this declaration. - Aged, infirm, with a memory great- ly impaired - and now expecting to be called upon for a de- tail of events among which he mingled and participated in days long since past, he has suffered names and dates so to escape his mind, that he finds it impossible to call them to remembrance with any degree of accuracy. -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. —
He was born in said Upton in the year 1751 where he at present resides and where he has always resided except when occasionally absent on business and his name and age are to be found among the records of said town —
I swear to and subscribe the day and year aforesaid — Joshua Gibbs Upton Wood J. V. 1867
We Samuel Nott Junior a Clergyman residing in the town of Ware ham and John Peasing residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Gibbs who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Attest Jacob H. Lord Reg r
Samuel Nott Jun r John Peasing
And the said board do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. And the said board do hereby further certify that the Rev Samuel Nott Jr who has subscribed the foregoing Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the

Town of Wareham & that John Forster Esq who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident in the same town & a credible person & that their Statement is entitled to full credit.
By the Court, Attest
Jacob H. Lord Register
I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Joshua Gibbs for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this Thirteenth day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

01565 Joshua Gibbs Mass
Paid 8 Mr 6 days
J. H. Lord Esq. Weymouth Mass
1. When the application was made to the Court or Magistrate... 2. It before a Judge, does it appear that the application is grounded on perjury, fraud, or... 3. When filed in the Court... 4. When the application was made to the Court or Magistrate... 5. When the application was made to the Court or Magistrate... 6. When the application was made to the Court or Magistrate... 7. When the application was made to the Court or Magistrate... 8. When the application was made to the Court or Magistrate... 9. When the application was made to the Court or Magistrate... 10. When the application was made to the Court or Magistrate...

BRIEF in the case of Joshua Gibbs 60 of Plymouth in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
before the Court of Probate
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 80  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 1776, volunteer 2 Sergeant Capt Col Druce   " " 3 ditto Capt King Col Gary   " " 2 14 ditto Col Sprout   4 different alarms amounting 6 22 Capt Demick Kept not named   Privateering Cruise 1 21 Capt Phillips d. d.   an other 1778 Cruise 1 6  
5. In what battles was he engaged? took Prizes at sea
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Conj of Plymouth Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional one living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Saylor
Examining Clerk.

Extract from the Town Records of the Town of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable in Massachusetts - To wit - "Joshua Gibbs - Wareham, Hannah Crowell - Falmouth - married December eighteenth, seventeen hundred and eighty-three."
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the records of the Town of Falmouth, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "Dec r 18th. 1783."
I, Charles W. Seurkins - above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable in Massachusetts and that the above is a true copy of the records of said town with the exception above stated as certified by me.
Charles W. Seurkins - Town Clerk " " { Falmouth
Barnstable ss. July 10th. 1843 }
Personally appeared the above named Charles W. Seurkins - and made oath that the above certificates signed by him are true. -
E. Smith { Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable ss
I Timothy Reed Clerk of the Courts within and for the County of Barnstable aforesaid hereby certify that Elizah Swift Esquire is a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum within and for all the Counties of the said Commonwealth duly commissioned and qualified and was so on the tenth instant and that the signature to the certificate within purporting to have been made by him is his genuine signature, E Swift is his customary mode of signature
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court at Common Pleas this nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty three.
Timothy Reed Clerk
W.W.S.

Hannah Gibbs Widow of Joshua Suspended Case from Mass.
E. B. R. W. Young Atty.
March 2 d 1852

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth } ss:
Be it known, that on the 3 rd day of October A. D. 1851, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Hannah C. Kinney and made oath according to law, that she is the child of Hannah Gibbs late of Wareham deceased, widow of Joshua Gibbs (who was an officer of the War of the Revolution,) and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $ per annum ; that she has reason to believe that the said pension ought to be increased ; and that she is directly interested in the same, and makes this affidavit to be filed by her attorney, with any additional evidence or arguments he may deem necessary in the prosecution of said claim.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me,
Thomas Savery Justice of the Peace. Hannah C. Kinney
State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth } ss:
Be it known, that before Thomas Savery a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, personally appeared Hannah C. Kinney who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that she is the child of Hannah Gibbs late of Wareham deceased, widow of Joshua Gibbs (who was an officer in the War of the Revolution,) and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $ per annum , that she now makes this declaration to recover any increase and arrears of pension, that may be due, on account of the services of said Joshua Gibbs as aforesaid, for the benefit of herself, Stephen Gibbs, Silas Swift, Abigail Billings, Calvin Gibbs, Julia Gibbs, George Gibbs under any acts or resolutions of Congress applicable to the case.
Sworn and subscribed this 23 rd day of October 1851, before me,
Thomas Savery Justice of the Peace. Hannah C. Kinney
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I Hannah C. Kinney of Wareham, Massachusetts a child of Hannah Gibbs deceased, widow of Joshua Gibbs (who was an officer in the War of the Revolution,) do hereby constitute and appoint Robert W. Young, Washington City, D. C., my true and lawful attorney for me, and in my name to prosecute my claim to any increase and arrears of pension that may be found due on account of the services of said Joshua Gibbs as aforesaid; and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers and documents touching my claim, on file in the departments at Washington or elsewhere, and file any additional evidence or arguments he may think proper, to ensure the recovery of the same.
Witness my hand and seal this 3 rd day of October A. D. 1851 Signed and sealed in the presence of
WITNESS, Rachel G. Freeman  Hannah C. Kinney WITNESS, Arthur M. Attean
State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth } ss:
On this 3 rd day of October A. D. 1851, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Hannah C. Gibbs and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Thomas Savery Justice of the Peace.
State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth } ss:
Be it known, that on the 3 rd day of October A. D. 1851, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Nancy Stone and Laura Avery two disinterested and respectable witnesses, and made oath according to law, that they were well acquainted with Hannah C. Gibbs late of Wareham deceased, widow of Joshua Gibbs (who was an officer in the Revolutionary War,) and that Stephen Gibbs, Silas Swift, Hannah Kinney, Abigail Billings, Calvin Gibbs, Julia Gibbs, George Gibbs are her only surviving children. And that she the said Hannah Gibbs departed this life on the 16 th day of August A. D. 1847
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me,
Silvanus Boorman Justice of the Peace. Nancy Stone, Laura Avery
I William N. Whitman clerk of Supreme Court in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Thomas Savery & Silvanus Boorman before whom the foregoing papers were executed, were at the date of the same Justices of the Peace in and for said county duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the names hereunto subscribed are genuine signatures .
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 4 th day of October A. D. 1851.
Wm. N. Whitman Clerk

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
3987 REJECTED
P. O.
Hannah Gibbs
Service: widow of Joshua
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

✓ 9476 Hamato Gibbs Mass ts
Suspended
Set to J. H. Lord Oct 10. 1843 " " Dech Miller Jr. Sep 15. 1844
12 Act July 7 38

Decem 20 1843
Map advised Sydney Cobb A. Fitch

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County.
Town of Waukena
Decr 15th, 1843
Dear Sir, Enclosed I forward additional evidence in relation to the claims of Lydia Cobb & Hannah Gibbs to pensions - The other papers being on file in your office Very Respectfully Seth Miller Jr

Probate Office
Plymouth Mass.
Aug. 14. 1843
Sir
I send herewith the applications of Mrs. Hannah Gibbs for a Pension under the Acts of July 7. 1838 & March 3. 1843.
The certificates may be forwarded to me
Yours &c
J. H. Lord
J. L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions Washington D.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov 21. 1813
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that there are no rolls of Col Brewster reg in 1776. or of Capt King in Col Gorges Regiment in this office, and the name of Joshua Gibbs, a Sergeant does not appear in the Regiment of Col Sprout in 1777. Joshua Gibbs' name is found upon the pay rolls of Capt John Gibbs, as a Sergeant. for 2 days travel in 1776. 7 days service in 1778 & 11 days service in 1780. — Col Sprout

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
James A. Boles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Hannah Gibbs of Wareham in the County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts widow of Joshua Gibbs late of Wareham, deceased, a Revolutionary Pensioner, having made an application for a pension, and having refered to his declaration made under the act of Congress passed 1832, received a Letter from the Commissioner Pension, that Massachussetts Rolls must be examined and a certificate must be made out by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachussetts, I hereby request John A. Bolles Esq. Secretary to make the examination and certificate required
In said letter is the following "The Secretary of Massachussetts should certify to the service of Joshua Gibbs, who according to his declaration served two months in 1776 as a sergeant under Col. Brewer, Captain not named; three month sergeant under Captain King, Col. Crary; two months fourteen days in 1777 as sergeant under Col. Swift,"
"I cannot state any other particulars of his service
her Hannah X Gibbs mark
Attest Seth Miller Jr. Just here

I Stephen Gibbs of Wareham in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Joshua Gibbs late of said Wareham deceased, that he was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 and that the said Joshua Gibb, died on the sixth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, leaving a widow, whose name is Hannah Gibbs, and who is now living in said Wareham.
Stephen Gibbs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County } ss. On this twenty eighth day of July 1843. the said Stephen Gibbs, who is a credible witness, personally appeared and deposed and subscribed the above deposition, and made oath in due form of law that the same is true.
Before me Seth Miller Jr Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Seth Miller Jr. Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & qualified & that the above is his true & genuine Signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this fourteenth day of August 1843. Jacob H. Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County, ss.
I John B. Thomas, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the said County of Plymouth, hereby certify, that Seth Miller Junior, Esquire, before whom the within deposition was sworn was on the day of the caption of the same, & now is a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Plymouth, duly commissioned & qualified under the authority of said Commonwealth to administer oaths & take depositions - And that his signature to the jurat of the same deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this twenty fifth day of October in the year one thousand eight hun- dred and forty three.
John B. Thomas

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County } ss
On this thirty first day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three; personally appeared before me Wilkes Wood, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Plymouth Hannah Gibbs of Wareham in said County of Plymouth & state aforesaid aged eighty two years who being first sworn, according to law, doth on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the third day of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons, who served during the revolutionary war, That she is the widow of Joshua Gibbs late of said Wareham deceased who served in the Army of the Revolution as stated in his a declaration made to obtain his pension under the Act of Congress of July 7 th 1832. that the said Gibbs received a pension under said Act of Twenty Seven Dollars & thirty three cents per annum. She further declares she was married to the said Joshua Gibbs on the eighteenth day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, and that the aforesaid Joshua Gibbs died May the sixth in the year eighteen hundred and thirty thirty nine; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four &c, at the time above stated. she further declares she is still a widow. Sworn to & subscribed, on the day & year last
above written
Hannah Gibbs mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written before me; And I certify that the said Declarant is unable

by reason of age and bodily infirmity to attend a Court to make her deposition - and that she is a credible person.
Willis Wood Judge of the Court of Probate _____
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth Ys. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Willis Wood is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County & that the above is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & the seal of said Court this four- teenth day of August 1843 Jacob H. Lord

21 5 65 Joshua Gibbs
22 14 36

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joshua Gibbs which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yy
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yy
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yy
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yy
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yy 4 6
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I Elijah Barwell of Rochester in the County of Plymouth legally qualified to give evidence, testify and say that in the latter part of the year 1775 I was in a company of Militia raised by the State of Massachusetts for carrying on the war of the Revolution, the precise time for which it was raised I cannot recollect. Stephen Winy of Rochester was Captain of the company. Barnabas Bates of Waukena was one of the subalterns. The company was stationed at Roxbury at first, and afterwards on Dorchester heights. The company was on the heights when Boston was evacuated by the enemy and was shortly after wards dismissed, but without any written discharges. From age & feebleness of memory many circumstances that occurred during the campaign have escaped my recollection. Ishak Gibbs then a still of Waukena was a member of the company, and still exists therein, and I remember his being with the company on Dorchester heights. I am in my eighty seventh year.
Elijah Barwell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Plymouth ss. Nov. 13. 1832. Elijah Barwell appeared before me and acknowledged the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me the undersigned; and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the deponent, that he is of good character for truth and integrity to credit.
J. Holmes Justice of the Peace

Plymouth Ys. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Charles J. Holmes Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in for said County & that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal of office this seventh day of January A.D. 1833.
Jacob H. Lord